Van Gaal: We don’t need a striker

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has said that adding a striker to his squad is not a priority.

The Red Devils opened their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win over Tottenham on Saturday, with Kyle Walker's own goal handing United the points in what was at times an under-whelming display.

Captain Wayne Rooney played as a lone striker in the match and struggled to make an impact, leading to some concern as the previously out of favour Javier Hernandez and youngster James Wilson are currently Van Gaal's only other out-and-out strikers.

However, the Dutchman insists that he is happy with the attacking options available to him, with talk of a new striker arriving more media speculation than anything else, with Rooney set to play up front consistently this season after being primarily deployed in the midfield last term.

"No, that is not a special item for me – it is more in the media they are discussing about a striker," Van Gaal said of possibility of acquiring a forward. "The striker is Wayne Rooney and we also have Hernandez, [Adnan] Januzaj and [James] Wilson. It is not a special objective for me.

"But when we can buy another striker who has a lot of qualities, more than our players, then we buy. But we have always done that.

"I said it before but they [the media] are not writing it. I have said it before, we have Rooney. You [the media] said he has to play in a striker's position."

However, United may move for another striker should Hernandez depart Old Trafford, with the Mexico international linked with a move to West Ham. It was reported on Sunday that the Hammers are lining up an increased bid for the 27-year-old after reportedly having an £8.5m offer rejected.

New signing Memphis Depay was handed his Premier League debut in an unfamiliar role behind Rooney, and the Dutchman was not much of a factor in the match. Despite this, Van Gaal is confident that he can thrive in the role.

"It is a new position for him and he has to adapt because he is a goalscoring type," Van Gaal explained.

"We have to wait and see if he can fulfil the demands of this position but [he’s playing there] because Ashley Young is playing very good on the left side.

"Therefore those is the circumstances but they can change during the season. He can play in this position."